The Wicker Basket

[Ahuvah]

Do you have problems studying? Or perhaps you feel what you DO study is of no benefit because it doesn't seem to stay in your head? Well, some time ago, can't remember when or where LOL (leaky brain syndrome)...I heard this wee story that has encouraged me no end ... you may have heard it already, but if you haven't - enjoy:

 

The Wicker Basket - Anon.

Retelling  in the style of Stormswift. 

 

Little Johnnie always looked forward to spending the weekend on his Grandfather's farm ... he loved the animals, and the burbling brook running down the side of his Grandfathers and Grandmothers house. But what he enjoyed the most was getting up early with his Grandfather and doing the day's text with him and reading  the scriptures before going out on the farm to complete the mornings tasks.

 

But one thing that little Johnnie found frustrating was that no matter how much he read or how fast or how slow, it seemed to him that the information just kind of fell out of his head ... how DID his Grandfather do it? But, out of admiration for his Grandfather he persisted in imitating his wonderful example of faithfully reading the scriptures each morning.

 

One morning though, out of exasperation, he blurted out to this Grandfather: "Granddad I will never be like you!! I am trying so hard, but I can never keep what I read in my head ... how do you do it Granddad please tell me!"

 

Well, his Grandfather looked up at him over his spectacles and gently said:

"Johnnie, do you see that old dirty looking wicker basket over there by the hearth?"

"Yes" Johnnie said with excitement rising expecting some big secret was about to be revealed.

"Well, if you go and get that please, and fetch me a basket full of water from the brook outside for me?" Asked his Grandfather.

 

Puzzled, Johnnie looked at the dirty basket and wondered how he could do this .. but he loved his Grandfather so he obliged.

 

Running back to the house, he, of course, lost all the water in the basket. Disappointed he said: "I tried Granddad, but all the water ran out!"

 

"Do it again Johnnie", His Grandfather gently urged.

 

Johnnie did it again, and again all the water ran out before he reached his Grandfather.

 

"Look over there," said Johnnie hopefully, "There's a bucket I could use the bucket instead of a basket!"

 

His Grandfather quietly said: "I asked for a basket full not a bucket ... try again."

 

Johnnie, did, because he loved his Grandfather, and after more tries he looked exasperately at his Grandfather and said 'why'? 

 

"Bring me the basket," His Grandfather said.

Johnnie did.

"Look at it and tell me what you see" his Grandfather asked.

Johnnie looked and looked, then he said, "Oh Granddad!! It's clean!"

"Yes!" His Grandfather said smiling. "What started off as a dirty old wicker basket, with the constant cleaning, it now looks clean and new! - that is why I keep studying, even if some of the information or most of the information falls out of my brain, it is making me clean and new in Jehovah's eyes. - That is why I keep studying!"

 

 

Edited December 22, 2018 by Stormswift

[Loopy]

Boy, am I that wicker basket.

[MizPeg]

Welcome to the club Linda! I passed the grand ole age of 79, this year, and am a member of good standing.

The story is so relevant for us.

 

[Ahuvah]

1 hour ago, Loopy said:

Boy, am I that wicker basket.

 That's just it, the majority if not all of us are at some time ... and Satan's system is set up to make us feel inadequate if we don't feel we are reaching the levels that we PERCEIVE others to be. 

 

What I like about this story is ... it shows that effort is needed, even if we don't think we are retaining what we read, but the blessings are gradual blessings ... if you all look back on your lives you'll see how much you've grown spiritually and emotionally.

 

 

[New World Explorer]

This is just wonderful - thank you Mandi.

[Qapla]